Violent protests erupted in Leh on Wednesday (September 24) as thousands of people clashed with police while demanding special constitutional protections for Ladakh, which lost its statehood and was made a Union territory in 2019.

Amid the unrest, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) headquarters in Leh was vandalised and later taken over by an angry mob, forcing party functionaries to flee. Leh District Magistrate Romil Singh Donk imposed a curfew following the escalation.

According to reports, the protest began as a sporadic demonstration outside the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) secretariat before spiralling out of control.

Agitated crowds, including elderly people and children, flooded the streets. Stone pelting was reported from several areas, while a police van was set ablaze, prompting security forces to use teargas shells. The extent of injuries to protesters or security personnel was not immediately known.

The BJP has been in control of the LAHDC since 2020 after securing 15 of the 26 seats, with fresh elections due later this year.

Discontent against the ruling party has been mounting as Ladakhi leaders continue to press for restoration of statehood, inclusion of the region under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, and guarantees on land and jobs.

Although the Union government set up a high-powered committee (HPC) in 2023 to examine these demands, the alleged lack of progress has deepened frustration among locals.

Activist Sonam Wangchuk linked the escalation to the deteriorating health of protestors on a hunger strike.

“Two persons, who were observing the fast along with me, were hospitalised on Tuesday in a critical state which flared up anger among the public following which a shutdown was announced in Ladakh on Wednesday,” he said.

He added, “Thousands of youngsters came out. Some people think that they (protesters) were our supporters. The entire Ladakh supports our case. It was a Gen-Z revolution which brought them out on the streets. For five years, they are unemployed. One after another, excuses are cooked to deny jobs to our youngsters. This is a perfect recipe for social unrest,” while condemning the violence that targeted government buildings and vehicles.

While the protests turned violent in Leh, no clashes were reported from Wangchuk’s protest site.

Kargil-based activist Sajjad Hussain, commenting on the situation, posted on X: “Whatever is happening in Leh is unfortunate. Ladakh, once peaceful, is now gripped by frustration & insecurity due to Govt’s failed UT experiment. The onus lies on the Govt – resume dialogue, act sensibly & fulfill Ladakh’s demand for Statehood & Sixth Schedule without delay. Also I appeal people to remain peaceful and steadfast.”

The unrest has prompted the administration to cancel the upcoming Ladakh Festival and postpone Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta’s scheduled visit to Kargil on September 25, citing security concerns.

Meanwhile, the Kargil Democratic Alliance and the Leh Apex Body, which have been holding talks with the Union government’s HPC, have called for a complete shutdown across Ladakh on Thursday. Both groups have demanded that the October 6 meeting of the HPC be advanced in light of the deteriorating condition of those on hunger strike.